The partial government shutdown, a fight over money for a border wall, dragged into its 20th day on Thursday — fast approaching a record set in the 1990s.

Here's a look at today's shutdown news:

More talk of a national emergency declaration

President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday as he left for a trip to the border that he probably, "maybe definitely" will declare a national emergency if he can't make a deal with Congress, the Washington Post reported.

The national emergency declaration would be a way for the president to order the military to build the wall without congressional approval, the Post reported, a move that would be challenged in court.

"The last paycheck most federal employees received came around Dec. 28. This Friday will mark the first payday where nothing will come," Time reported.

There weren't many signs of a resolution coming soon. A meeting on Wednesday between President Trump and congressional leaders went nowhere, the Times reported, with the president abruptly leaving a meeting at the White House.

Do we need the government?

Each shutdown, some question how much the government is really missed, as life for non-government employees goes on as usual — for a while anyway.

Trump, during negotiations, said the shutdown could last "months or even years," although that scenario isn't likely.

What would that be like if it did happen? NBC News looked at that question, and says it wouldn't be pretty. The impacts would include 38 million low-income people losing food stamps, court systems backed up, tax refunds uncertain and more. After a few months, "it's game over — you'll have a pretty severe recession," an economist told NBC.

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on Air Force One at Beale Air Force Base for a visit to areas impacted by the wildfires, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. He is followed by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(Photo: Evan Vucci, AP)

President to visit ground zero

Trump will travel to McAllen, Texas, on Thursday to promote his border security efforts, which include the contentious bid for $5.7 billion for 234 miles of wall.